Polo training generally begins at the age of three and lasts for about six months to two years, as most polo ponies reach physical maturity at the age of five. Discover how polo ponies combine the traits of a number of breeds with help from the secretary of a polo club in this free video on polo horse training.
Good afternoon I am Cyrus Confectioner, secretary of the Calcutta Polo Club, one of the oldest polo institutions in the world. Training generally begins at the age of three, and lasts for about six months to two years. Most of these polo ponies reach full physical maturity by the age of five, and these ponies are at the peak of their athleticism at around age six or seven. However, without any accidents polo ponies may have strength and ability to play to almost fifteen to eighteen years of age. Polo ponies are truly unique horses that combine the traits of a number of breeds. They initial documented breeding of polo ponies since very late nineteenth century. A small thoroughbred stallion name Rosewater holds the title of foundation sire for the most of the English ponies. In the United States thoroughbred horses are usually bred with quarter horses to produce polo ponies. Since the nineteen thirties some of the best polo ponies have been produced in Argentina. The Argentina cross thoroughbred horses with their local Criollo horses producing some of the best polo ponies. It also takes a lot of time to produce a polo pony that loves to play the equestrian sport of polo. The polo ponies have to be very well looked after, and loved by their trainers, and the persons who are going to mount them. From a very young age they are selected according to their ability, their size, and their physical structure. They have to be strong, and they have to be fast, and therefore the training, technical training is imported accordingly. We have trainers all over the world who train horses, but training polo ponies is a very different aspect. They have to be strong through working out in the sand pit, then they have to be taken to the field for long periods of galloping. Non stop galloping from five to seven minutes at various speeds. They are trained to be handled with one hand on the rein, and to be responsive to the riders legs and weight cues for moving forward, turning, and stopping. A well trained horse can carry his rider smoothly, and swiftly to the ball at a count for almost sixty to seventy percent of the player's skill, and net worth to his team. They are given special protein, and special horse foods, which enable them to become strong. One very important aspect is that the polo pony, and his master when they come together must have that coordination together. They have to build up a very strong rapport between each other, a very strong bonding, very strong love for each other to enable them to perform at the best possible level. Thank you.
